When Christians Repent

The underground bomb shelter in the hotel at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel hardly seems like a place where history might be made.

Located on the second floor beneath street level, it is a large rectangular room in which the air conditioning does not work and the interior design appears to have been copied from the Soviet Union’s pre-Brezhnev era: drab, dull and dreary. Appearances aside, though, the confined space served as the improbable venue recently for a remarkable scene, as dozens of Christian leaders from 40 countries on five continents gathered together to discuss... Jews.

The occasion was the fourth bi-annual leadership forum of Christians for Israel, a non-denominational Christian organization that was established in Holland in the 1970s by Karl van Oordt and which has grown to boast hundreds of thousands of members around the world.

The group lobbies European parliamentarians in Brussels on Israel’s behalf, supports soup kitchens in places such as Beit Shemesh, assists Diaspora Jews to make aliya and even partnered with the Jerusalem Foundation to restore the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem’s Mishkenot Sha’ananim neighborhood.

Their goals are sincere and unequivocal: “Christians should repent of the treatment of the Jewish people by the Church over the centuries, fight anti- Semitism in all its forms and guises, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and comfort the Jewish people.”

No missionizing, no proselytizing, no hidden agendas.

It says a lot about the way in which relations between Christians and Jews have evolved in recent years that we have come to take such things almost for granted.

But let’s put things in perspective. Several centuries ago, a similar gathering of worldwide Christian leaders would surely have devoted its energies to finding new ways to harm the people of Israel.

Nowadays, they come together to help.

But what really set this event apart, and underlined the sea-change taking place, was the keynote speaker for the evening: the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger.

In a rousing and emotional address, Rabbi Metzger surveyed relations between the two faiths, neither shying away from the darkness of the past nor ignoring the challenges we collectively face. He described how Adolf Hitler and the Nazis had not invented the idea of a Jewish ghetto, but rather had adopted the practice from the medieval model created by Christians.

At one point, as he related a story about Holocaust survivors, the rabbi choked up, prompting many in the audience to shed tears of their own.

Rabbi Metzger added, “If you know of someone who wants to come here to try and convert Jews, tell them not to do it.”

Rabbi Metzger also vigorously defended Israel and condemned the culture of hate of our foes, messages which resonated with the audience and met with their accord.

“I want to give you our thanks for your support and to say that you are truly the sons of Abraham and our brothers,” he told them. Before concluding, the rabbi added an important final point, telling the audience: “If you know of someone who wants to come here to try and convert Jews, tell them not to do it,” pointing out that such proselytization efforts damage relations between Jews and Christians.

As I watched the chief rabbi address the Christian leaders, I could not help but think how extraordinary this scene was. Just 20 or 30 years ago it would have been unthinkable for such a thing to occur.

Moreover, the rabbi’s remarks were like those between friends, without a hint of antagonism or enmity.

Afterwards, Andrew Tucker, the Christian group’s executive director, presented Rabbi Metzger with framed copies of a document in English and Hebrew entitled, “A Call to Repentance, A Word of Hope.” As Tucker began to read the text aloud, he too grew emotional and had to pause to compose himself before continuing.

“We acknowledge with deep shame,” he said, “that the Church for centuries has rejected, persecuted and murdered the Jewish people in the name of Christ. We repent of the supersessionist theologies of the Church which have claimed all of God’s blessings for themselves, and have denied any continuing place for the nation of Israel in God’s plan of redemption for the world. We cut the root and stole the fruit.”

We can neither forgive nor forget what was done to our people over the past 2,000 years in the name of Christianity.

Tucker, along with the group’s international chairman, Harald Eckert, and its president, Rev. Willem Glashouwer, all reaffirmed their commitment to remorse for the past and resolve for the future.

Now I know that there are many Jews who are still skeptical about Christians and their intentions. And we certainly must be vigilant against those who seek to convert Jews, an act which cannot and must not be tolerated. But we must also learn to differentiate between them and those who truly wish to forge bonds of amity and goodwill. Not all Christians are out to get us, and to suggest otherwise is simply fatuous and misleading.

To be sure, we can neither forgive nor forget what was done to our people over the past 2,000 years in the name of Christianity, the persecution, pogroms, massacres and forced conversions, expulsions and blood libels. But when Christians nowadays take responsibility for the actions of their forefathers, seek atonement and extend a hand of friendship, it behooves us to respond in kind.

About the Author

The writer served as deputy communications director in the Prime Minister’s Office under former premier Binyamin Netanyahu. He is the founder and Chairman of Shavei Israel (www.shavei.org), a Jerusalem-based group that facilitates the return of the Bnei Menashe and other “lost Jews” to the Jewish people.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 32

(20)
Nick Peterson,
February 12, 2016 3:51 AM

Karl van Oordt -- Kol Ha Kavod!

Karl van Oordt -- Kol Ha Kavod!

(19)
Anonymous,
December 13, 2015 11:53 PM

peace/shalom

Wow people! I was happy to read of the progression toward peace in the above article, but in horror as I read the comments following it. I was born and raised Catholic, but had to live life and in adulthood leave the organized Church because of its hipocracy. But, I believe in One GOD and pray many times everyday for among other things, PEACE for ALL MANKIND. So, if you hold all Christians or anyone of another faith as guilty of our ancestors sins, and untrustworthy or unforgivable, then you are condemning your children, grandchildren, and potentially all your descendents to come to the same evils suffered before you, by teaching and perpetuating hatred of others. For then are you not as guilty of the hatred and disgusting atrocities as the German children, whom through no fault of their own were born into PURE HATRED of another Religion/Race and brainwashed and/or forced into doing UNSPEAKABLY HORRIFIC things to other Human beings. Can we not lay down our swords and heavy cloaks of hatred??? I believe the key to harmony and even the afterlife, is just the basics... the 10 COMMANDMENTS! Or even more simply...
DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU.
Please, GO IN PEACE MY FRIENDS.
I wish you all, Shalom, peace, love and happiness

(18)
Bonnie,
May 30, 2015 2:53 PM

Thank u for sharing

(17)
Romeo,
April 9, 2015 4:48 PM

Repentance Isn't Enough

A personal opinion from a Noachide here in the Philippines. For me, Christians should first turn back, accept and acknowledge HaShem, the Torah and the Jewish people for complete authority, teaching and guidance. As long as they keep on disobeying the 7 Noachide Laws specifically regarding the belief in Oneness and Unity of G-d, the Prohibition Against Idolatry, and the Prohibition Against Blasphemy of G-d's Name, their repentance wouldn't be complete and they will still be like washed clothes with stains remaining. Once they know the truth of the Torah and open their eyes, it will set them free and accept higher responsibility.
May HaShem forgive me for my limitations regarding my comment. I don't mean to hurt anybody.
Shalom.
Romeo

(16)
elisheva,
November 7, 2014 1:41 PM

Reflections on Michael Freund's article

As noted, This article is republished from April 2013. At that time the organization JewishIsrael responded with some points that are worthy of reflection. and concern."Reflections on Michael Freund's article on Christians and Repentance"http://jewishisrael.ning.com/profiles/blogs/reflections-on-michael-freund-s-article-on-christians-and-repenta

(15)
Lenny Bruce,
October 19, 2013 6:02 PM

Repent? Hardly.

I doubt anyone here watches as much Christian TV as I do. Christian support for Israel has ZERO to do with repentance, and EVERYTHING to do with the wacky Revelation End Times script. For premillennial dispensationalists, Israel is a very important stage-setter for Jesus' return. Don't ask how many Jews die in their end times script, 'cause that don't matter as long as Jesus returns! All the support you cite is sadly about the Apocalyptic fervor in America (40% think Jesus will return before 2050).

(14)
Anonymous,
April 9, 2013 8:06 AM

We Love Israel

We are many out here who love the Jewish people. My son and I have been supporting" aliya "with no agenda and ulterior motive.We use a siddur for prayer keep all the Jewish festivals follow a Jewish calendar. We do not keep any christian feasts.sometimes when we have privilege we attend synagogue.We do not know what to call ourselves by religion.The first time I attended synagogue standing outside to pray a Jewish woman came and threw water on me.This did not stop me from praying to Hashem.This continues to happen in different ways,but who cares.As for my dear people forget all the hatred, your mandate is to be the Light to the Nations so please fulfill this obligation so that we can have peace on the earth.We want to know more about your G-D .

Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 4:28 PM

Christians who love Israel and Jews should be welcomed

It is sad to see that some of my fellow Jews are suspicious of all Christians. Let's remember, these Christians are not the people who persecuted us. Maybe their ancestors did, but the sins of the fathers should not be applied to their children. Judge each person individually. We have so many vicious enemies in the world, it is especially foolish as well as immoral to reject anyone's friendship.

(13)
Anonymous,
April 8, 2013 8:57 PM

When Christians repent

The particular group of Christians in this article is sincere I think, as a former Christian I know that most are ignorant and oblivious of their own history, in terms of how the Jews were made to suffer by Christianity and it's theology for centuries. If they do know, most of them find ways of being in denial, unfortunately. I wish more Christians were aware and were prepared to repent. It is ironic that the author is more willing to forgive and trust the Christians than I am prepared to, but it was also good to hear that at least true reconciliation is beginning some parts of inter-faith relations. I also think the real threat nowadays is not from the Christians but from "Islamic" extremism and the Atheist population.

(12)
Anonymous,
April 6, 2013 5:34 PM

A load of lies.

I grew up in a mixed Jewish-Christian neighborhood. My "kind' Christian neighbors and teachers taught me the meaning of Christianity very well.

I spent my childhood being called a Christ-killer, Kike and other names of great affection.

I spent my childhood not crying but fighting back, both with words and fists.

I realize that there is no Christian I have ever met that I would willingly be friends with. In their hearts there is the old hatred. And it will come out.

Never trust the ones who wish to kill you.

Anonymous,
July 14, 2013 12:09 AM

Stop the hate, love your fellow man!

"I realize that there is no Christian I have ever met that I would willingly be friends with. In their hearts there is the old hatred. And it will come out."
This is a very sad comment that shows a apparent hate in your heart. You say you cannot willingly be friends with a Christian because you think all of us have a hidden agenda. That is the problem that many have used against the Jews, making untrue claims to demean and used to justify the hate in their hearts. You have done nothing more than justify your hate for a person that is "Imago Dei" made in the image of G-d.
If you can justify hate, then do not expect others to show you forgiveness. So sad.
I happen to have a true love for the Jewish people and it was taught to me by my Christian mother. She loved the Jewish people deeply.
The hate has to stop somewhere, join with me in stopping the hate.

(11)
Steve Skeete,
April 5, 2013 10:29 PM

No forgetting, no forgiveness?

"To be sure, we can neither forgive nor forget what was done to our people over the past 2,000 years in the name of Christianity..." I find this to be a most unfortunate and unkind article. It reeks of pride and condescension. The writer does not mask his antipathy to Christians, but instead uses a positive event (the meeting of persons who support Israe)l, to relive centuries of hate and hostility. But, to admit that one will neither "forgive nor forget" is to say that the hate will continue, only this time it will be mutual. What a terrifying thought! The idea that all Christians are out to get Jews, even those Christians who claim to want to help, and who offer public repentance with tears, shows the depth of the loathing for Christians that must exist somewhere in the writer. I am happy though, since I have dear Jewish friends, that all do not think like this.This is a very sad article.

Shoshana _ Jerusalem,
April 7, 2013 7:33 PM

forgiveness

It seems that the group of Christians that this article discusses could really be sincere in their desire to be friends with the Jewish people, and there is certainly no reason to hate them.
But to forgive what others did in the past?
If someone would hit you in your face until all your teeth were knocked out and your jaw bone broken, then beat you with an iron bar until all your bones were broken, and then knock you down and stomp on your stomach for half an hour and peel off your skin and use it for a lampshade, all the time you were screaming in pain, and if you were to survive and decide to forgive him, that's your business. Go ahead, forgive. But if he did it to the guy down the block, it should be obvious to any normal person, that you can't forgive him for what he did to the other guy. Nor can you ask me to . Or my downstairs neighbor, a woman of 75, who still has nightmares and sees the Nazi grabbing her two year old sister from her mother's arms and slicing her to bits in front of her screaming mother, and then saw him murder her mother and the rest of the family, and she by some miracle escaped. If your dear Jewish friends want to forgive him, it's very generous of them. By the way, did that Nazi asked to be forgiven? Was he sorry for what he did? How do you ask me to forgive that Nazi for what he did to my downstairs neighbor and her family? And we should forget? Her daughter hears her screaming at night, a vivid reminder. Maybe you wish to forget, but we can't. Nor can I forget or forgive for the tens of thousands tortured and burned at the stake during the Spanish Inquisition, or the One Million slaughtered during the Crusades. I am not in a position to do that. Neither are you.
BUT if there are good Christians today who will leave us alone and let us live, we have no reason to hate them, and we certainly don't and we absolutely shouldn't.

Anonymous,
June 4, 2013 10:39 PM

Just as a matter of interest, it was Christians who during WW11 hid Jews from the Nazis - who were anything but Christian and made no profession to being so (even if some individuals did). A few Jews survived the entire war in German cities because of those Christians.
Others in Holland and other countries hid Jews, were caught doing so, were imprisoned and many died in the camps. A Corrie Ten Boom and her family were one.
Auchwitz had a block or two for Catholic priests and others who stood against Hitler and for Jews. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor who stood against Hitler and his policies and for it was hanged to death in a concentration camp.
It was non-Jews who eventually smashed the Nazi forces and released Jews from the camps. It was a German women who rescued hundred of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto.
Yes, the Crusaders also killed Jews and to their regret in 1099 Jews helped the Muslims trying to defend Jerusalem. Maybe they'd heard of the Paupers Crusaders murder of Jews on the Rhine, but that assistance to Muslims had some bearing on their shocking treatment after the Crusaders over-ran the city.
Just another point, I have had some grim experience in life for which I could have reason to be bitter, but I came to realize that bitterness eats at you physically and psychologically and ruins your existence. It's a waste of time. I think you need to learn that lesson.

lionlamb,
June 5, 2013 6:22 PM

Love is all we need.

I am an Asian christian and it saddens and shocks me that there is so much hate discussed here. I lately read about the crusades and all the stuff mentioned here and realised how wrong the churches were. My ancestors were from South-East Asia and I am first generation christian . Lately I realised how close and related christians and Jews are. We have nothing to do with the crusades and astrocities against the Jews and in fact Jews were rescued in Shanghai, China and probably other parts of Asia as well. I was not even born yet.
I understand it is difficult to forgive but if you have love for other human beings then it is easier to forgive. G-D in the Old Testament is forgiving and loves the Jewish people. In Genesis 18:24-32 Abraham bargained from 50 to 10 righteous people for sparing the city of Sodom and requested was granted should 10 righteous people be found. I see the love and forgiveness of G-D here and if we emulate the Almighty One of Israel, we can also learn to forgive, although it takes a long time to forget.
We have to let go and let healing take place or else in the end, anger and hate will consume us like malignant cancer emotionally, mentally and even physically. We will never be happy.

Nelson,
July 14, 2013 12:02 AM

Forgiveness

If you do not forgive, the person that has sinned against you have won. And how can G-d forgive you for your sins if you do not learn to love and forgive those that have sinned against you? The sins committed are against G-d in the first place.

Anonymous,
April 7, 2013 8:35 PM

Forgiveness ( continued)

Just out of curiosity, who is taking responsibility for the rising anti-Semitism in Europe today? And also in the U.S.A? The burning of synagogues? The beating up Jews, especially in France, where it is becoming dangerous to walk down the street. This is certainly NOT the fault of the Christians discussed in the above article, who would probably stop it if they could. And we have nothing against those Christians. On the contrary, it is very nice to know that we have some friends in this hostile world. BUT when you say that the author of the article is using it to "relive centuries of hate and hostility" , it shows that you are really out of contact with reality. Have you read a newspaper lately? Do you know of the potential danger that we Jews are in in most parts of the world? If you study pre-W.W. One and Two history, you see some scary similarities. Trying to outlaw Circumcision, and kosher meat, and burning synagogues, and beating up Jews. Sounds familiar? Is anyone doing anything about it? Are you? Also in your comment, you seem to blame us Jews for hatred for what was done to us in the past and seems to be continuing into the present, in a different form, of course. The soil of Europe is drenched in Jewish blood. It has still not dried. The ashes are still piled up. The tears are still falling and the nightmares are still real. And you blame us? And the new anti-Semitism today, based on hating Israel, tiny little Israel, so small that on most maps there is no room to write her name, is anti-Semitism just the same. And many of the Christian groups are helping Jews financially to move to Israel, with their admitted agenda of getting us all into one place in order to G-d forbid convert us or....... So if we are a little suspicious, we have reason to be. And I realize that you, as a Christian, feel very bad about a past that cannot be forgotton or forgiven, but don't blame us.

Anonymous,
June 4, 2013 10:18 PM

None entirely pure - or beyond redemption.

If you cannot forgive you have a serious problem. It is part of being civilized and appreciating that none of our histories is entirely something of which we should be proud, or that we as individuals is without sin.
Read about the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and you will find that most cases, Cheka, forerunner to the KGB and the body most responsible for killing about 19,000 million Russians between 1917 and Lenin's death in 1924 had more Jewish than non-Jewish agents in its murderous ranks. Most of the early Bolshevik leadership was Jewish and most of the camps of the Gulag were run by Jews. Winston Churchill recognized all this, but he still made a huge contribution to the creation Israel. Allan Dershowitz of Harvard University once said a huge statue should be erected to Churchill in Jerusalem, in recognition of what he did for the Jewish people in the creation of Israel.
Churchill did not write off an entire people just because of some vicious trash among its numbers.
That the Tsars had treated Jews shabbily is fact, but the revenge - if that was the brutal motivation for what happened - exacted on the Russian people was appalling and shameful.
Alexandr Solzhenitsyn wrote about this matter and for it was pilloried and branded an anti-Semite, but he was right to insist that it was part of historical reality. Those few years of shame does not add up to 2,000 years of anti-Semitism, pogroms, etc, but my point is that it did happen and demonstrates that none of us is entirely pure or innocent, or should be written off as beyond redemption.

Roger,
August 8, 2013 2:50 PM

No forgetting, no forgiveness?

I have to agree with you regarding the not forgiving part of this article.I had to read that sentence three times! I don't think forgetting is possible, but forgiving is possible and should be done. Would G-d want the Jewish people to forgive their oppressors OR NOT?

(10)
Margaret,
April 5, 2013 4:16 PM

You would consider me a Christian supporter

I love Israel and I will make my 4th visit next month. You would consider me a Christian who loves Israel but I do no longer have Christian beliefs. I would love to convert to Judaiism and I have enquired but it is very hard. We have been to snagogue but the language is very hard for us. My husband is 76 years old and I m a little younger but we love and always support Israel financiall too.) Please don't think that many Christians have ulterior motives. Personally,I believe hat G-d will always take care of the Jews, his Chosen People. G-d bless Israel and all Jews always.

Leah,
April 8, 2013 7:50 PM

To Margaret

You and your husband are righteous gentiles. May G-d bless you!

(9)
angelo,
April 5, 2013 7:37 AM

true acts of repentance on the part of Christians have been expressed very clearly and sincerely by pope Giovanni Paolo II and not only.I wonder whether Israel might have any responsibility or fault in his behaviour towards christians in general,or he considers perfect and only victims of evil of others

(8)
Uri Yitzchak,
April 4, 2013 8:05 PM

support or hidden agenda?

Although there are many sincere Christians who are good people and support Israel for what it stands for; there are also many of them who have a hidden agenda, and hide behind their "love" and support towards us to missionize and try to convert many jews to their beliefs. What the sword and persecutions did not accomplish for so many centuries, nowadays many of them try to win us over with their support and care-so we must have our eyes wide open and be very vigilant to their real intentions and sincerity.

(7)
Anonymous,
April 4, 2013 7:20 PM

There's another kind of Christian not mentioned here

OK, so we embrace those who make true teshuva and remain wary of proselytizers, nothing new there. What I'd like to know is how to respond to a third group -- the (mostly evangelical Protestant) Christians whose support for Israel is based on the belief that the rise of a vigorous Jewish state is required for an armageddon which they are certain will be followed by the second coming of Christ? How much are they to be trusted? How much should their theology color our response? And how should we respond -- welcome, acknowledgment, arms length, coolness or no response at all?

(6)
Graham,
April 4, 2013 5:55 PM

I grew up, 60 years ago, in a strong Anglo-Catholic parish with a priest who loved teaching. He spent every annual holiday of up to three weeks in Israel, looking, listening, learning. He came home and taught us kids the wonders of Israel and the Jewish faith. Such a grounding no one can put a price on. We grew up to love, and with repentance, and living in the shadows of WWII, our Jewish brothers and sisters.

(5)
Dawn,
April 4, 2013 4:17 PM

Thank you

Thank you for posting this article. I hope it will lead to true acts of repentance on the part of Christians who still hold to supersessionist theologies.

(4)
ruth housman,
April 4, 2013 3:43 PM

repentance

The world is filled with sorrow, and much of this sorrow is because people brand others as somehow evil, as somehow not being part of their way of thinking, believing, being. It seems the world has needed scapegoats and group belonging in this terrible way. Hopefully groups such as the one discussed, a large group, in thinking down the years about what was done, how it was done, and how change can occur, will enlarge our concept of the family of man, and about putting the kind back into, mankind. It seems unconscionable that history could be so cruel, and ongoing acts of violence and terror are part of this same brew, that created and continues to create the deepest sorrows of this world.

(3)
Tseruyah,
April 4, 2013 3:34 PM

Christians or "Some" Christians?

The danger here is singling out a Christian group who is reaching out in honesty. Jewish people today, especially Israeli Jews, are being targeted by hundreds of Christian organizations worldwide for evangelization.I applaud the efforts to build relationships here by Christians For Israel, but we as a people of a VERY different religious faith and walk must remind ourselves that it is not in the nature of Christianity to let Jews be Jews! The rise of Messianic Christianity is the latest assault on us and their evangelists have bored deep into Jewish communities in the USA, Russia, Poland and Israel itself.

The vast majority of Christians "helping" Jews today are not like the Christians of Christians For Israel. They are not helping Jews be better Jews. They have a conversion agenda because they believe that when most of the world's Jews are converted to Christianity, their idea of Moschiach will return to rule over us all. This is the simple truth and we ignore it at our peril.

Ayalah,
August 7, 2013 9:45 PM

Evangelization of Jews

I totally agree with what you wrote and unfortunately i see the Messianic Christians act in my own town . For years i have been following their method, the vocabulary they use to convince you that you can be Jewish and believe in Jesus as the Moshiach meaning being Christian as the same time and convince you that it is the only way for atonement. Only HASHEM is our saver, the One and the only One. They sent pamphlets to our MKs (Knesset Members) for them to read in order to "help them govern" and they sent letters to our school teachers asking them to put Christianism in syllabus, they go to the social places and streets where they find young adolescents fragile minds easy to influence and to push to convert etc.etc... In US for example they enter synagogue with talith... Yes indeed they have even a more " emphatic" way to speak about Israel enemies than the more radicals among us, about the Land of Israel, about the Jewish people but never speak about the future of theJewish Nation in the Land of Israel because they don't want it as staying Jewish. They are working very hard to replace Old testament, talmud etc..meaning Judaism by the New testament meaning Christianism. They speak with one voice in Israel and an another voice in United States where they work very hard too and are preparing for Messianic Christians for their coming to Israel asking for the same rights the Jewish people have when returning to their Land ISRAEL, in fact they want Jerusalem, and eradicate Judaism by the means of demography, politics and proselytism and we are here to fight this : more and more Jewish people know, they speak and alert others in many ways. And to the Christians who have no such agenda i ask to help us in an active/concrete way to stop the evangelization campaign in Israel ; it will show their real desire to detach themselves from the agenda and/or not to give in to tacit complicity. If such the intention, i want to thank them for their genuine support.

(2)
Lorenzo A. Williams,
April 4, 2013 3:19 PM

I'm not understand something!

First knowing that not all denominations is guilty of destroying mass numbers of our Jewish brothers and sisters. But when the title Chruch is implecated, I'm pushed to wonder and question the blame. Who else besides the Catholic church patisapated in this persecution,murder. The Catholic churches could not represent all of the other denominations sir and if it did, I know see why both are having trouble. please explain this to me..........thankyou & Shalom

Dvirah,
April 9, 2013 4:58 PM

Reply to (2) Lorenzo A. Williams, April 4, 2013 3:19 PM

When Martin Luther (the original one) broke with the Roman Catholic Church and started the Protestant movement, he at first believed that his "new" Christianity, "clensed of all the faults" of the RC Church, would appeal to the Jews and the he would be the one to spark their mass conversion (no pun intended). When the Jews rejected his version of Christianity no less that the "original" one, he must have felt cheated and robbed of his glory, for he turned against the Jews and all his later works contain vituperative diatribes against them. (In contrast to his earlier works, where he writes with great hope of their conversion.) Thus, many Protestant Churches contain as much Jew-hatred as did (does?) the CR Church.

(1)
Mark-Norman,
April 4, 2013 11:47 AM

Many thanks

I hope and pray that this is the path we'll both take. Forgiveness and repentance, the essence of a humanity broken by ideology and hatred.

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In a letter to someone who found it difficult to study Torah, the 20th century sage the Chazon Ish wrote:

"Some people find it hard to be diligent in their Torah studies. But the difficulty persists only for a short while - if the person sincerely resolves to submerge himself in his studies. Very quickly the feelings of difficulty will go away and he will find that there is no worldly pleasure that can compare with the pleasure of studying Torah diligently."

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...